Nov 20

Nov 20 DOC NYC film review: 'Television Event'

The behind-the-scenes story of how a major network scared the bejesus out of Americans about the harsh reality of a full nuclear exchange is subject of the retrospective documentary 'Television Event' (screening at DOC NYC 2020).

In short: In 1983, ABC aired the controversial made-for-TV movie 'The Day After,' a chilling fictional account of the aftermath of a nuclear war on the American Midwest.

In a vacuum, 'The Day After' is a disaster movie. Albeit an oppressively grim disaster movie, it's a disaster movie nonetheless. But this intriguing documentary contextualizes 'Day After' not simply as a nuclear attack movie -- but a decidedly bleak film depicting the terrifying realities of nuclear war during the height of the Cold War and on a medium best equipped for live sports and primetime family programming.

Among the most watched television broadcasts of all-time are a number of Super Bowl games, the final episode of 'M*A*S*H,' the 'Dallas' episode that revealed who shot J.R. Ewing ... and 'The Day After.' It is the opinion of this film critic that virtually any TV program that captures the nation's rapt attention deserves some consideration. What does it say about Americans that the most popular Olympic event televised was billed as Nancy Kerrigan vs. Tonya Harding in Lillehammer 1994? What does the fact that the Super Bowl consistently ranks among the most watch TV broadcasts each year say about the TV viewers? 'Event' ponders the significance of 'The Day After,' its place in television history and its role in how Americans view nuclear weapons.

From early concept to audience reaction, 'Event' documents the sheer audacity of showing the American people an unflinching look at the consequences of nuclear war - and the controversy that dogged the film from start to finish. Excellent archival footage ensures the audience has a firm grasp on the dire socio-political climate in which 'The Day After' aired. First-hand interviews with television executives and filmmakers offer a great post-mortem on the film's chaotic production through its controversial TV premiere.

'Event' has two distinct gears. On one hand, the documentary takes a jovial, light-hearted tone as it tracks the push-and-pull between devil-may-care creative filmmakers and cautious network executives. It's amusing to hear the 'Day After' director reveal his grand plans for the boundary-pushing TV movie, and how it clashed with the risk-averse, revenue-centric studio executives.

On the other hand, 'Event' also has a more urgent tone when looking back on the effect 'The Day After' had on the actors and viewing public. This documentary really drives home how the TV movie's stark relatability became it's most terrifying aspect. This doc stresses the importance of seeing a dramatized depiction of nuclear fallout, radiation sickness and social upheaval right at a time in history when the world's two superpowers were sitting on a stockpile of death aim at each other, putting the life of virtually every man, woman and child in the world in danger.

Final verdict: 'Event' makes the strong argument that 'The Day After' deserves a prominent place in television history - and will spur audiences to seek out this grim made-for-TV movie.